The Mississippi State football team used three interceptions and a big game from quarterback Will Rogers to take down No. 12 Kentucky 31-14 on Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium.
The Bulldogs improved to 5-3, 3-2 Southeastern Conference and notched their second win this season over a team ranked in the AP Top 25.
Mississippi State scored 31 unanswered points in the second and third quarters to flip the script on the Wildcats (6-2, 4-2 SEC). Kentucky quarterback Will Levis was ineffective, tossing a pick in each of the first three quarters.
Meanwhile, Rogers delivered a performance that will rank among his best so far in a Bulldogs uniform. The sophomore was 36 of 39 for 344 yards and a touchdown pass. Neither he nor his MSU teammates turned the ball over a single time.
MSU scored 17 points on three straight possessions after halftime to pull away thanks to two Kentucky turnovers in between the scoring drives.
After jumping out to a 10-0 lead, the Wildcats’ only score came on a touchdown pass from Levis to DeMarcus Harris early in the fourth quarter. Kentucky hasn’t won in Starkville since 2008, and that streak continued Saturday.
Meanwhile, Mississippi State moved within one win of a bowl game with four contests to go, including a Nov. 20 tilt with Tennessee State.
The Bulldogs will face Arkansas (5-3, 1-3 SEC) on the road at 3 p.m. Nov. 6.
Theo DeRosa reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @Theo_DeRosa.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.